Vibrating subsoil tool

ABSTRACT

A subsoil tool for ameliorating soil compaction having a shank attached to a toolbar of a tractor, wings on forward wing links pivotally engaged to the shank, and following wings on a wing rod pivotally engaged with the forward wing link. The forward wing links are positioned near the bottom of the shank in front of the rear of the shank. The wing rod is positioned behind the shank. A power link is engaged to the toolbar, a hydraulic drive cylinder, and the wing rod for enabling oscillation of the wing rod relative to the shank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.Non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/893,486, filed Feb. 9, 2018,which claimed priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/458,444, filed on Feb. 13, 2017, each of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This applicationalso claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/629,716, filed Feb. 13, 2018, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a subsoil tool and method for using thetool for establishing and managing cultivated ground. More particularly,some embodiments of the present invention concern a tool that can beengaged with a tractor having one or more ripper assemblies for soilripping, each ripper assembly having a shank and one or more oscillatingwings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soil working and site preparation is important for the establishment andsurvival of cultivated crops. In the absence of adequate soilpreparation, crops may struggle because of poor physical soil condition,in particular soil compaction. Compacted soils are not easily penetratedby plant root, which may struggle to assimilate the water and nutrientsneeded for growth and production. In turn, this leads to a generalundesirable loss of plant vigor, and less than optimal performance. Thecondition of the soil is therefore a limiting factor on the productioncapacity of the area.

In general, soil ripping is conducted to improve soil condition andcreate a friable soil that roots of plants are able to penetrate andestablish. The roots of any plant need to be encouraged so that theyanchor the seedling and grow deep to access water and nutrients.However, current equipment used is not site specific. By contrast, thepresent invention allows for variability in the type of soilamelioration during use of the tool by reference to soil type and byreference to a soil map database.

Mounding is conducted in conjunction with or following ripping. Ineffect a raised, friable soil bed is created. This technique improvesthe benefits of ripping by enhancing water retention, greater soil depthand uniformity of crop.

Single pass tillage implements are known and have been used to performboth shallow and deeper tillage in a single pass. Single pass equipmentprovides considerable time efficiencies compared with conductingseparate operations in multiple passes.

However, in any one area in which cultivation is to be established thesoil condition and soil characteristics may vary considerably. Timetaken to complete a task is frequently critical in the establishment ofa cultivated area and it is hard for a land manager to make more than arelatively crude assessment of the variability of an area of land and ofthe varying requirement that the soil may have for treatment. Thedifficulty of this task is exacerbated by the fact that equipment usedto perform these vital tasks is of a specialized nature.

In most cases the capital cost of equipment is considerable. This isparticularly the case when the equipment is used on only a seasonalbasis, or perhaps only as a once off in initial establishment of acultivated area. Furthermore, the skills required to operate andmaintain such equipment are typically beyond the available resources ofmost landholders. Accordingly, land cultivation is frequently carriedout on a contract basis.

Tools and cultivation methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,626,401,incorporated herein by reference, issued to the same inventor of thepresent improvement (the '401 patent). The conventional tool of the '401patent, and as shown in FIG. 1 of the present application, includes twoshanks mounted to a frame which can be towed by a tractor with twofollowing rollers behind the shanks. Pivotally attached to the shank isa wing member directly engaged with a rod of a ram for rotating thewing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has identified improvements on the tool of the '401 patentwhich, among other things, could be practiced with the methods disclosedtherein. In particular, the improved tool of the present inventionincludes improvements to the wing mechanism and drive thereof as well asimprovements to features for protecting the device from the stresses ofoperation. Some of such improvements include, but are not limited to:different wear plates and guards can be provided and tailored to soilstructure; ability to change amplitude and frequency of oscillation ofthe wings based on soil structure; ability to change wing shape and sizerelative to soil structure and depth of penetration into the soil;addition of multiple wings achievable of varying angles for purpose ofsite specific blending of prescribed amendments and fertilizersthroughout the soil profile; vertical hydraulic adjustment of shankdepth into the soil to allow variable depth ripping in conjunction withprescribed GPS mapping; armored plated shanks with protective iron wearplates to extend life thereof; the use of a hydraulic ram engaged with a“boomerang”-shaped power link increases force applied as well as rate ofoscillation resulting in greater soil decompaction efficiency.

Embodiments of the present invention may include one or more ripperassemblies which are attached to the toolbar portion of a tractor. Thepositioning of the toolbar can be adjusted by one or more hydraulictoolbar cylinders. In some embodiments, a ripper assembly may include ashank, a front wear plate, a wear guard, forward wing links, a wing rod,a power link, and a drive box. In certain embodiments, additionalimplements, such as a roller, may be attached to a ripper assemblyand/or toolbar.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the shape of a shank maybe generally parabolic. However, it is to be appreciated that a shankcould be a plurality of shapes, which may be contemplated in accordancewith the type of soil to be ripped. Furthermore, a shank may have one ormore vertical adjustment holes to adjust the position of the shankrelative to the toolbar. A shank may be secured by inserting a bolt orother fastener through a vertical adjustment hole and through a mountinghole in the toolbar.

In certain embodiments, a shank may have a pointed front portionterminating in a lower tip which engages the soil. To prevent wear, thelower terminating point of a shank may include a foot having a pointedtooth, which may be removably attached to the shank, so it can bereplaced when worn. To prevent wear to the sides of a shank, in someembodiments, one or more armored plates may be welded, or otherwiseattached, to one or both sides of a shank.

An additional wear point may exist on the front edge of a shank. As aresult, some embodiments of the present invention may include a frontwear plate, which may be removably engaged with a shank, so it can bereplaced when worn. In certain embodiments, a front wear plate mayextend along the front curved portion of a shank. A front wear plate mayalso have a shape generally the same as the front curved portion of ashank. It is to be appreciated, however, that other shapes arecontemplated in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, a front wear plate may be engaged to ashank via a tab and bolt (or other fastening means). A shank may have arecess where a tab, engaging a front wear plate to a shank, may bepositioned. In certain embodiments, a tab may be partially belowportions of a shank covered by a foot or front wear plate that isengaged with a shank. Some embodiments of the present invention may havea front wear plate which may include a main section having a width aboutequal to that of a shank or that of the combined width of a shank andits armored plate(s). Furthermore, a front wear plate may, in certainembodiments, have a protrusion which can be rectangular, triangular, orany other regular or irregular shape.

Other embodiments of the present invention may include a wear guard atthe top straight portion of a shank. A wear guard may be positionedbetween a gap between a front wear plate and a shank. In someembodiments, a wear guard may include band portions on both sides of ashank. To protect against shearing stresses, a shield may be provided ona wear guard. It is to be appreciated that a plurality of wear guardsizes may be provided depending on, among other things, which verticaladjustment holes are used to attach a shank to a toolbar.

Embodiments of the present invention may include a ripper assemblyhaving a plurality of moveable wings to aid in soil amelioration. One ormore forward wing links may be attached to a lower portion of a shank bya pivot. In certain embodiments, one or more forward wing links mayinclude a wing member that may be integrally formed with, or removablyattached to, the wing link(s). One or more shields may also be providedon one or more wing links to prevent shearing forces.

A ripper assembly may also include a wing rod, which may be engaged withone or more forward wing links at a forward wing pivot to allow pivotalmovement therebetween. In some embodiments, a wing rod may include oneor more following wings on either or both sides of the wing rod. A wingrod may also include a plurality of wing adjustment holes for insertionof one or more bolts to engage one or more following wings. In certainembodiments, a shield may be provided on one or more following wings toreduce bolt shearing stresses. It is to be appreciated that, in someembodiments, following wings can be engaged at a plurality of positions.It is further to be appreciated that embodiments of the presentinvention may include a plurality of wing shapes, designs, andconstructions.

Motion of wing links and wing rods may be controlled by one or morehydraulic cylinders directly or indirectly engaged with a toolbar of atractor, which interact with a power link that is engaged with a wingrod at one or more wing rod pivots, causing movement about a bushing. Insome embodiments, a drive box may be directly or indirectly mounted to atoolbar, for example and without limitation, by securing bolts throughone or more holes of a bracket of a drive box housing into holes in thetoolbar. In preferred embodiments, a hydraulic drive box cylinder may bepositioned inside the drive box housing. The drive box cylinder may beindirectly engaged with a wing rod via a power link, in someembodiments, by a rod of the drive box cylinder engaged with a first endof the power link and the wing rod engaged with a second end of thepower link. The power link may be rotatably engaged to the drive boxcylinder at a medial point. A drive box cylinder may also include one ormore ports through which hydraulic fluid may flow.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a ripper assembly mayinclude an improved power link particularly adapted for use inconnection with the improved tractor mounting assembly disclosed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/629,716 (the “‘716 application”).The improved power link may have a generally triangular shape which, atits apexes, may be engaged with a drive cylinder, a toolbar of atractor, and the wing rod of a ripper assembly. In some embodiments, theimproved power link may engage a toolbar of a tractor indirectly, forexample, by means of a drive box.

Advantageously, the presently improved tool may be used in accordancewith those methods described in the '401 patent. Generally, the improvedtool may utilize established soil profiles over an area of land tooptimize soil amelioration. Soil profiles may be used to develop acultivation plan, which can be provided to a computerized controller forconfiguring the improved tool. As a tractor, equipped with the improvedtool, is driven through the land, the computerized controller canreceive tractor position information and operate hydraulic pumpsassociated with the toolbar cylinders and drive box cylinders, so thateach move in accordance with the cultivation plan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating the conventional toolshown in the '401 patent.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a tool in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram illustrating a ripper assembly inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view diagram illustrating a ripper assembly inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway (or cross-sectional) view diagram illustrating aportion of a driving mechanism in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway (or cross-sectional) view diagram illustrating thelower portion of a ripper assembly in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIGS. 7A through 7C are side view diagrams illustrating how differentconfigurations of the toolbar cylinders orient, relative to the soil, aripper assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side view diagrams illustrating how differentconfigurations of the toolbar cylinders can vary the relative angles ofthe shank and wings in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view diagram illustrating a tool in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a magnified view of the lower front portion of a shankillustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view of exemplary forward wingsand forward wing links in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of exemplary forward wings andforward wing links in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of wear guard in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a following wing in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is another exploded front perspective view of exemplary forwardwings and forward wing links in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a front wear plate in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view diagram illustrating a ripper assembly inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a ripper assembly, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, engaged witha toolbar of mounting assembly.

FIG. 19 is a side view diagram of the exemplary ripper assemblyillustrated in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary improvedpower link portion of the exemplary ripper assembly illustrated in FIG.18.

FIG. 21 is a side view diagram illustrating a ripper assembly, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention, engaged witha toolbar of a mounting assembly.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary improvedpower link portion of the exemplary ripper assembly illustrated in FIG.21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention, in its various aspects, will be explained in greaterdetail below. While the invention will be described in conjunction withseveral exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments themselves donot limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the exemplaryillustrations in the accompanying drawings, where like elements havelike numerals, do not limit the scope of the exemplary embodimentsand/or invention, including any length, angles, or other measurementsprovided. Rather the invention, as defined by the claims, may coveralternatives, modifications, and/or equivalents of the exemplaryembodiments.

Exemplary Ripper Assembly, Tool, and System

Referring now to the exemplary illustrations, where like referencenumbers represent like items, and in particular to FIGS. 2-6, at leastone ripper assembly 10 can be attached to a toolbar 5 portion of atractor. The position of toolbar 5 relative to the tractor can bechanged by a plurality of hydraulic toolbar cylinders 3. Although thereare three ripper assemblies shown attached to the toolbar in FIG. 2, itis to be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention includeany number of ripper assemblies.

As shown more particularly in the exemplary illustration of FIG. 3,ripper assembly 10 may include shank 21, front wear plate 41, wear guard51, forward wing link 61A, forward wing link 61B (seen in the cutawayillustration of FIG. 6), wing rod 71, power link 81, and drive box 90.In some embodiments, additional implements may be attached to a ripperassembly and toolbar. For example, and without limitation, a roller,such as that depicted in the '401 patent (shown in FIG. 1), may beattached to a ripper assembly 10 and/or toolbar 5.

Shank 21 can generally have a parabolic shape having a pointed frontportion terminating in a lower tip and a generally straight and verticalrear portion. It is to be appreciated, however, that other shapes arecontemplated in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, and without limitation, shank 21 can include a“J” shape. The top of shank 21 may include one or more verticaladjustment holes 28A, 28B for adjusting the position of shank 21relative to toolbar 5. Shank 21 may be inserted into a slot of toolbar 5and a fastener (for example, and without limitation, a bolt) may beinserted through one of vertical adjustment holes 28A, 28B and through amounting hole in toolbar 5. It is to be appreciated that securement ofshank 21 to toolbar 5 through the lower vertical adjustment hole 28Bwill cause shank 21 to be positioned higher relative to the soil than ifshank 21 was secured to toolbar 5 through the upper vertical adjustmenthole 28A.

It is to be appreciated that the forward and lower termination points ofshank 21, in operation, are the most forward portions of the ripperassembly 10 that engage the soil and are wear points. In someembodiments, foot 25 having pointed tooth 26 may be removably attachedto the forward portion of shank 21 (as can be seen in FIG. 6), so thatit can be replaced when worn instead of requiring replacement of theentirety of shank 21. Additional wear points are on the side of shank21. In some embodiments, one or more armored plates can be provided onone or more sides of the shank. For example, and without limitation,armored plates 27A, 27B can be provided on the side of shank 21 (andadditional armored plates can be provided on the other side of theshank). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17, armored plates 27A,27B, 27C can extend along the length of shank 21 which is to be insertedinto the soil. In preferred embodiments, armored plates 27A, 27B, 27Ccan be welded to shank 21, however, it is to be appreciated that otherattachments means are contemplated in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention. For example, the armored plates can beremovably engaged with the shank via one or more fasteners so that theymay be replaced when worn.

Another wear point is on the front edge of shank 21. In someembodiments, front wear plate 41 may be removably engaged with shank 21,so that it can be replaced when worn instead of requiring replacement ofthe entirety of shank 21. In some embodiments, front wear plate 41 mayextend along the front curved portion of shank 21. Front wear plate 41can have a shape generally the same as the front edge of shank 21, andcan be engaged to shank 21 via tab 43 and bolt 49. As illustrated inFIG. 6, shank 21 may have a recess in the bottom portion wherein tab 43of front wear plate 41 may be positioned. In some embodiments, therecess may be partially below that portion of shank 21 covered by foot25 when foot 25 is engaged with shank 21. In preferred embodiments, andas illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 16, front wear plate 41 may have a mainsection 45 having a width about equal to the combined width of shank 21and the armored plate(s). In some embodiments, front wear plate 41 mayalso have a narrower forward facing protrusion 42 which can berectangular, triangular, or any other shape. For example, and withoutlimitation, protrusion 42 may have a “blade” type configuration (asshown in FIG. 16) for use in rocky soil. In other examples, theprotrusion may have a concave rib or member nearly extending the widthof main section 45 for use in clay soil. It is to be appreciated,however, that front wear plate 41 may omit any protrusion, which isparticularly useful with sandy soil. To protect bolt 49 from shearstresses in operation, front wear plate 41 may include shield 44 forwardof bolt 49 and extending outwardly relative to shank 21.

In preferred embodiments, wear guard 51 may also be provided at the topportion of shank 21 (as shown in FIG. 3). Wear guard 51 may have a frontlower portion that can be positioned between, and thus retained by, auppermost gap between front wear plate 41 and shank 21. It is to beappreciated that a plurality of sizes of wear guard 51 may be provideddepending on, among other things, which vertical adjustment holes 28A,28B are used to attach shank 21 to toolbar 5. In some embodiments, wearguard 51 may include band portions on both sides of the shank (best seenin FIG. 13) terminating at connecting bolt 59. Shield 54 may be providedon wear guard 51 to protect against shearing stresses. In preferredembodiments, a longer wear guard is to be utilized when the uppervertical adjustment hole 28A is used to attach shank 21 to toolbar 5.

Advantageously, the ripper assembly may include a plurality of movablewings to aid in soil amelioration. Forward wing link 61A and forwardwing link 61B (on the other side of shank 21 as shown in FIG. 6) may beattached to shank 21 on a lower portion thereof by shank pivot 22. Inpreferred embodiments, forward wings links 61A, 61B can be symmetricalalong a center line at which they are engaged with shank 21. In certainembodiments, a center line may be an axis defined by shank 21. Shankpivot 22 permits forward wing links 61A, 61B to pivot at an end thereofrelative to shank 21. Each of forward wing links 61A, 61B may include awing member, for example, forward wing link 61A may have forward wing63A. Forward wing 63A, in preferred embodiments, is integrally formedwith forward wing link 61A. However, in some other embodiments, theforward wings may be removably attached to the forward wing links. Oneor more shields 64, 65 may be provided on the forward wing links 61A,61B to protect against shearing stresses. Wing rod 71 may be engagedwith each of forward wing links 61A, 61B at forward wing pivot 62 topermit pivotal movement therebetween. Wing rod 71 can include one ormore following wings 73A, 73B, 75A, 75B. It is to be appreciated that,as shown in FIG. 2, following wings are on both sides of wing rod 71.Advantageously following wings 73A, 73B, 75A, 75B can, in someembodiments, be placed at a plurality of positions. Wing rod 71 mayinclude a plurality of wing adjustment holes 78 along a portion of thelength thereof through which bolts 79 may be inserted for engaging thefollowing wings 73A, 73B, 75A, 75B. Analogous to the other bolts,shields 74 may be positioned on following wings 73A, 73B, 75A, 75B toreduce bolt shearing stresses.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, in preferred embodiments,following wings 73A, 73B can be symmetrical along a center line at whichthey are engaged with wing rod 71 (i.e., protrusions from each side ofwing rod 71 are about the same). Likewise, following wings 75A, 75B canbe symmetrical along a center line at which they are engaged with wingrod 71. Similarly, in preferred embodiments, each of forward wings 63A,63B can be symmetrical along a center line at which they are indirectlyengaged (by forward wing links) with shank 21. In certain embodiments, acenter line may be an axis defined by wing rod 71 or shank 21. Followingwings 73A, 73B may be symmetrical with following wings 75A, 75B, or asillustrated, may be different. However, it is to be appreciated thatembodiments of the invention include other wing shapes, designs, andconstructions. In some embodiments, when three ripper assemblies areattached to a toolbar, the forward wings and following wings may have asimilar configuration (for example, and without limitation, as shown inFIG. 9 the wing configuration of each ripper assembly may be similarlyconfigured). It is to be appreciated however that the wingconfigurations on a single ripper assembly may vary and the wingconfigurations on different ripper assemblies may vary. Further, thedistal protrusion of the individual wings from a shank may vary, as wellthe distal protrusion of the different wings on different shanks mayvary. It is further to be appreciated that the shapes and configurationsof the multiple forward wings and following wings as illustrated in thedrawings are not meant, nor should be interpreted, as limiting the scopeof the invention (i.e., some embodiments of the invention concern toolshaving asymmetrical forward wings and following wings, and differingforward wing and following wing configurations on the same or ondifferent ripper assemblies).

FIGS. 11 and 12 show exploded and assembled, respectively, perspectivesof forward wing links 61A, 61B and forward wings 63A, 63B in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, forward wings 63A, 63B may beintegrally formed with forward wing links 61A, 61B, may be fixedlyengaged via one or more fasteners, or may be permanently attached (forexample by welding) to forward wing links 61A, 61B. As illustrated, bothof the forward wings 63A, 63B (on either side of the shank) can, in someembodiments, be mirror images and forward wing links 61A, 61B may bejoined together. In some embodiments, shank pivot 22 may comprisemultiple components which are fitted together. Similarly, forward wingpivot 62 may also comprise multiple components which are fittedtogether. Forward wing links 61A, 61B may be stabilized and engagedtogether by spacer 60. In some embodiments, spacer 60 may include holes,slots, and/or tabs and be secured by one or bolts, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12. However it is to be appreciated that other mechanismsof attachment of the forward wing links are contemplated in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. For example, and withoutlimitation, FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment in which forwardwings links 61A and 61B may engaged by a single hole through which a pinor bolt may be inserted. Forward wing links 61A, 61B may also includeshields that are placed near the shank pivot and forward wing pivots.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, vertical and rotationaladjustment of the shank may be made by adjustment of toolbar cylinders3. As illustrated in the figures, the upper toolbar cylinder may controlthe rotation of the ripper assembly and the lower toolbar cylinder maycontrol the vertical displacement of the ripper assembly. FIG. 7Aillustrates partial extension of the upper toolbar cylinder, FIG. 7Bshows maximal retraction of the upper toolbar cylinder, and FIG. 7Cdepicts maximal extension of the upper toolbar cylinder. It can be seenthat whether upper toolbar cylinder is maximally extended, maximallyretracted, or somewhere in between, the height of the toolbar and thusupper portion of the shank is about the same (e.g., height A1 of FIG.7A, height A2 of FIG. 7B, and height A3 of FIG. 7C is about the same).On the other hand, the extension or retraction of the upper toolbarcylinder affects the rotation of the shank and thus the operating depthof the lower portion or foot of the shank. For example, maximalextension of the upper toolbar cylinder as shown in FIG. 7C may rotatethe shank forwards towards the tractor thus causing the foot of theshank to be positioned at a height above the soil (height B3), whilemaximal retraction of the upper toolbar cylinder as shown in FIG. 7B mayrotate the shank rearwards from the tractor thus causing the foot of theshank to be positioned at a height below the soil (height B2). Partialextension of the upper toolbar cylinder, as shown in FIG. 7A mayposition the shank generally vertical having a height B1 relative to thesoil between height B3 of FIG. 7C and B2 of FIG. 7B. Similarly, incontrasting the illustration of FIG. 7A (wherein the upper toolbarcylinder is partially extended and the lower toolbar cylinder ismaximally retracted) and the illustration of FIG. 8A (wherein the uppertoolbar cylinder is partially extended and the lower toolbar cylinder ismaximally extended), it is evident that the lower toolbar cylinder canposition the entirety of the shank, and the foot, deeper in the soil toa height B4 when the lower toolbar cylinder is maximally extended thanthe height B1 when the lower toolbar cylinder is maximally retracted. Itis to be appreciated that the foregoing discussion is meant toillustrate, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention, the relative positioning and rotation of the shank ascontrolled by one or more toolbar cylinders.

Motion of the forward wing links and wing rods (and thus the forwardwings and following wings) may be enabled by hydraulic elements, such asone or more hydraulic cylinders. In some embodiments, hydraulic elementsin drive box 90 may enable motion of the forward wing links and wingrods, by oscillating power link 81 about bushing 85, which is engagedwith wing rod 71 at wing rod pivots 72A or 72B. Referring now to thecutaway view of FIG. 5, wing rod 71 may include one or more wing rodpivots 72A, 72B to which power link 81 may be engaged. It is to beappreciated that the selection of to which of wing rod pivots 72A and72B is engaged to power link 81 can be made with reference to, amongother things, the amount of upward travel of wing rod 71 is desired, thespeed at which wing rod 71 is to be moved, and the power of thehydraulics.

Drive box 90 may be mounted directly or indirectly to toolbar 5, forexample, and without limitation, by bracket 98 of housing 91 havingholes therein through which bolts (not shown) can be inserted. Inpreferred embodiments, a hydraulic drive box cylinder 93 may bepositioned on the inside of housing 91 of drive box 90. Drive boxcylinder 93 may be directly or indirectly engaged with wing rod. Inpreferred embodiments, drive box cylinder 93 may be indirectly engagedwith wing rod 71 by (i) pivotal engagement of cylinder rod 96 to a firstend of power link 81 via connecting pin 92 and (ii) pivotal engagementof wing rod 71 to a second end of power link 81 via wing rod pivots 72Aor 72B. Drive box cylinder 93 may include ports 94A, 94B through whichhydraulic fluid may flow to operate the drive box cylinder. As hydraulicfluid is provided into drive box cylinder 93 through port 94A, cylinderrod 96 extends outwardly, rotating power link 81 counterclockwise(accordingly to the exemplary configuration illustrated in FIG. 5) aboutbushing 85. After cylinder rod 96 has been extended from drive boxcylinder 93, hydraulic fluid can be provided through port 94B, whichretracts cylinder rod 96, and causes power link 81 to rotate clockwiseabout bushing 85.

Cycling hydraulic fluid through ports 94A, 94B thus causes the wings ofthe present invention to oscillate, which when inserted into the soil,improves amelioration. In some embodiments, the oscillation frequencymay be between 0.1 and 4 cycles per second, and preferably, one cycleper 0.8 seconds (or 1.25 cycles per second). However, it is to beappreciated that other frequencies are contemplated in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. It is also to be appreciated that,when two or more ripper assemblies are provided on the toolbar, each canhave the same or different oscillating frequencies.

Exemplary Operation of the Improved Tool

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, as the cylinder rod of the drive boxcylinder motions from the down position to the raised position, itpushes or pulls on the power link which applies the opposite action tothe wing rod, initiating the motion of the following wings and theforward wings. As the cylinder rod moves through its motion, the forwardwings travel through an arc while the following wings rotate through anarc as well as move slightly forward or backward. The change in degreeapplies pressure to the soil as it flows over the face of the forwardwings and the following wings. As this pressure is applied to the soil,it causes the soil particles to rupture and split apart creating asmooth and homogenous tilth. As the soil slides over the faces of thewings, it cascades off into the open space beneath the wings and allowsfor better blending of stratified soils. The vertical pressure appliedto the soil by the angular surfaces of the wing when the cylinder rod ismaximally extended (e.g., the condition illustrated in FIG. 8B) causeslift in the soil, while the rotational motion of the wing causes themixing effect. As the forward wings and following wings motion upward,they create a momentary increase in the draft applied to the tractor asa vertical load which can increase the tractive efficiency of thetractor. When the forward wings and following wings motion downward, theload is released and the tractor operates under a normal load scenario.While the forward wings rotate upward, it increases in angle, while thefollowing wings decrease in angle. This allows for a more consistentsoil movement.

As illustrated, the angles of the wings relative to the nominal soilgrade vary throughout cycling of the wing rod. When the cylinder rod ismaximally retracted, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the forward wings haveangle α1 relative to the soil grade, the lower following wings haveangle α2 relative to the soil grade, and the upper following wings haveangle α3 relative to the soil grade. Similarly, when the cylinder rod ismaximally extended, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the forward wings haveangle β1 relative to the soil grade, the lower following wings haveangle β2 relative to the soil grade, and the upper following wings haveangle β3 relative to the soil grade. Angles α1, α1, and α3 are smaller,respectively, than angles β1, β2, and β3.

In preferred embodiments, the forward wings are provided with flatterangles as the tooth falls deeper and are provided with steeper angles asthe tooth rises to shallower depths. Along with the forward wings, thefollowing wings angle relationship corresponds to the overall depth. Thedeeper the forward wings and following wings travel, the narrower theoverall size is required to be for similar effect on the soil. As theforward wings and the following wings decrease in depth, the size of theangular surface must increase to positively work the soils.

Exemplary Method of Using the Improved Tool

The presently improved tool is particularly well suited for, andprovides significant benefits to, amelioration of contiguous land havingvarying soil profiles. The presently improved tool is well suited formethods of use which are the same, with or without modification, tothose described in the '401 patent.

More particularly, a plurality of soil profiles at pre-determinedintervals over an array over an area of soil to be cultivated could besurveyed and established. In some embodiments, the soil profiles caninclude things such as crop yield information, extent of soilcompaction, any existing root depth and width, physical, chemical,nutritional, or environmental factors which affect soil performance(both at the surface and sub-surface level), and soil types. Thisinformation can also include historical surveys as well as prioramelioration protocols. The array of information can be placed in adatabase along with positioning information (for example, and withoutlimitation, GPS coordinates) to assist in the amelioration.

Once the soil profiles are established, a treatment or cultivation plancan be prepared. The plan can include, for example and withoutlimitation, for each element in the array, the depth to which the soilshould be ripped, the oscillating frequency of the wings, whether soilamendments or fertilizer should be added, the particular size, shape,positioning and number of wings to be provided, the number of rippingassemblies to be used, the insertion height(s) of the shank(s) into thetoolbar (i.e., which vertical adjustment hole to use), the insertiondepth(s) of the shank(s) into the soil, the rotational position(s) ofthe shank(s), and the height of the wing rod relative to the power link(i.e., which ring rod pivot to use).

Use of the presently improved tool can then be made in accordance withthe plan. After the tool is configured in accordance with the plan, asthe tractor is driven through the land, speed and position informationmay be determined by a location determining apparatus (for example, andwithout limitation, a GPS receiver) and transmitted to a computerizedcontroller with an electronically readable form of the cultivation plan.The electronically readable cultivation plan can comprise instructionsin a memory element associated with said computerized controller. Thecomputerized controller can compare the position of the tractor to thecoordinates in the plan array and determine, among other things, therotation of the shank(s) and insertion depth(s) thereof into the soil,along with the height and oscillating frequency of the wings. Thisinformation can be translated and can be conveyed to hydraulic pumpsassociated with the toolbar cylinder(s) and the drive box cylinder(s).As the tractor moves, based on the position of the tractor, the toolbarand drive box cylinders move automatically in accordance with theamelioration plan.

Improved Power Link

In some aspects, the present invention provides an improved power link(and configurations including such power links) for driving the wing rodof a ripper assembly via a drive cylinder. In accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, certain improved power linkconfigurations in accordance with embodiments of the present inventionare particularly adapted for use in connection with the improved tractormounting assembly of the '716 application.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18-20, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, a ripper assembly 300, having a power link 381, may beengaged with the toolbar portion of a tractor mounting assembly 200.Power link 381 may have a generally triangular shape (or exaggerated“boomerang” shape) and, at its apexes, may be pivotally engaged atconnecting pin 392, bushing 385, and wing rod pivot 372. Power link 381may be engaged with cylinder rod 396 of drive cylinder 393 at connectingpin 392 at an upper apex of power link 381. Power link 381 may beengaged with wing rod 371 at wing rod pivot 372 at a distal or rear apexof power link 381. Power link 381 may be engaged to the toolbar of thetractor mounting assembly 200, directly or indirectly, at bushing 385 ata proximal or forward apex of power link 381. For purposes of thediscussion of power link 381, “upper apex” is defined as the portion ofthe triangular power link 381 generally nearest to the top of thetoolbar, “proximal apex” or “forward apex” is defined as the portion ofthe triangular power link 381 generally nearest in the horizontaldirection shank 321, and “distal apex” or “rear apex” is defined as theportion of the triangular power link 381 generally furthest in thehorizontal direction shank 321.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, a ripper assembly 400, having a power link 481, may beengaged with the toolbar portion of a tractor mounting assembly 500.Power link 481 may have a generally triangular shape and, at its apexes,may be pivotally engaged at connecting pin 492, bushing 485, and wingrod pivot 472. Power link 481 may be engaged with a cylinder rod of adrive cylinder (not illustrated) at connecting pin 492 at an upper apexof power link 481. Power link 481 may be engaged with wing rod 471 atwing rod pivot 472 at a proximal or forward apex of power link 481.Power link 481 may be engaged to the toolbar of the tractor mountingassembly 500, directly or indirectly, at bushing 485 at a distal or rearapex of power link 481. For purposes of the discussion of power link481, “upper apex” is defined as the portion of the triangular power link481 generally nearest to the top of the toolbar, “proximal apex” or“forward apex” is defined as the portion of the triangular power link481 generally nearest in the horizontal direction shank 421, and “distalapex” or “rear apex” is defined as the portion of the triangular powerlink 481 generally furthest in the horizontal direction shank 421.

It is to be appreciated that power link 381 or power link 481 may beengaged to a toolbar indirectly (for example and without limitation, bypivotal engagement at bushing 385 or bushing 485, respectively, to adrive box analogous to drive box 90). It is also to be appreciated that,in some embodiments, power link 381 and 481 may have a more definedtriangular shape relative to power link 81. Moreover it is to beappreciated that power link 381 and 481 may be pivotal with respect to adrive box or toolbar at a (proximal) forward or (distal) rear apex,respectively, whereas power link 81 may be pivotal with respect to adrive box or toolbar medially.

As illustrated and discussed herein, several configurations of a powerlink are embodied in the present invention. In one embodiment, and asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, power link 81 may be (i) pivotally engagedto a toolbar, directly, or, indirectly via housing 91 of drive box 90,near a medial portion of power link 81 at bushing 85, (ii) pivotallyengaged to cylinder rod 96 of drive box cylinder 93 near a proximal orforward end of power link 81 at connecting pin 92, and (iii) pivotallyengaged to wing rod 71 near a distal or rear end of power link 81 atwing rod pivot 72. In another embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 20,power link 381 may be (i) pivotally engaged to a toolbar, directly orindirectly, near a proximal or forward apex of power link 381 at bushing385, (ii) pivotally engaged to cylinder rod 396 of drive box cylinder393 near an upper apex of power link 381 at connecting pin 392, and(iii) pivotally engaged to wing rod 371 near a distal or rear apex ofpower link 381 at wing rod pivot 372. In another embodiment, and asillustrated in FIG. 22, power link 481 may be (i) pivotally engaged to atoolbar, directly or indirectly, near a distal or rear apex of powerlink 481 at bushing 485, (ii) pivotally engaged to a cylinder rod of adrive box cylinder (not shown) near an upper apex of power link 481 atconnecting pin 492, and (iii) pivotally engaged to wing rod 471 near aproximal or forward apex of power link 481 at wing rod pivot 472. It isappreciated however that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments illustrated and described above, but rather, other pivotalconfigurations of a power link are contemplated in accordance with otherembodiments of the present invention.

In comparison, and with reference to FIGS. 5, 20, and 22, power link 81may engage a toolbar at a medial portion, power link 381 may engage atoolbar at a proximal or forward apex, and power link 481 may engage atoolbar at a distal or rear apex. Power link 81 may engage wing rod 71at a distal or rear end (furthest from shank 21), power link 381 mayengage wing rod 371 at a distal or rear apex, and power link 481 mayengage wing rod 471 at a proximal or forward apex. Power link 81 mayengage a cylinder rod of a drive box cylinder at a proximal or forwardend (closest to shank 21), power link 381 may engage a cylinder rod of adrive box cylinder at an upper apex, and power link 481 may engage acylinder rod of a drive box cylinder an upper apex.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention contemplates a numberof wing rod shapes. As illustrated in FIG. 3, wing rod 71 is engaged ata distal end of power link 81 furthest from shank 21, and has agenerally straight shape between wing rod pivot 72 and forward wingpivot 62. As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, wing rod 371 is engaged ata rear apex of power link 381, and has a generally “J” shape betweenwing rod pivot 373 and the pivot at the forward wing link (e.g., curvesinwards towards shank 321 near the forward wing link). As illustrated inFIG. 21, wing rod 471 is engaged at a forward apex of power link 481,and has a generally “J” shape approximating the shape of the rear edgeof shank 421. In certain embodiments, the wing rod of a ripper assemblymay approximate the shape of the rear edge of the shank and engage arear apex of the power link, such that a top portion of the wing rodcurves away from the shank. In this configuration, the wing rod has agenerally “S” shape between the engagement point with the power link andthe pivot at the forward wing link. It is to be appreciated that wingrod 71, wing rod 371, and wing rod 471 have different shapes anddifferent ranges of movement relative to the shanks (e.g., wing rod 71and wing rod 371 have greater forward and rearward components ofoscillation, than wing rod 471. In addition, it is to be appreciatedthat a closer spacing between with wing rod and the shank prevents soilfrom passing through, accumulating between, the shank and the wing rod,thereby reducing drag and preventing wear or damage to the parts.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutationsof embodiments of the present invention may be made without departingfrom the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the presentinvention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, orillustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosedherein. Thus, although reference has been made to the accompanyingfigures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A subsoil tool for attachment to a toolbar of atractor comprising: a) a shank engaged with said toolbar; b) a forwardwing link comprising a forward wing and pivotally engaged with saidshank; c) a wing rod comprising a following wing, said wing rodpivotally engaged with said forward wing link; d) a hydraulic drivecylinder engaged with said toolbar; and e) a power link pivotallyengaged with each said wing rod, said toolbar, and a cylinder rod ofsaid drive cylinder.
 2. The subsoil tool of claim 1, wherein said powerlink comprises a generally rectangular shape.
 3. The subsoil tool ofclaim 2, wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at a medialposition with said toolbar.
 4. The subsoil tool of claim 3, wherein saidpower link is pivotally engaged at a distal end with said wing rod. 5.The subsoil tool of claim 4, wherein said power link is pivotallyengaged at a proximal end with said cylinder rod.
 6. The subsoil tool ofclaim 3, wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at a proximal endwith said wing rod.
 7. The subsoil tool of claim 1, wherein said powerlink comprises a generally triangular shape.
 8. The subsoil tool ofclaim 7, wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at an upper apexwith said cylinder rod.
 9. The subsoil tool of claim 8, wherein saidpower link is pivotally engaged at a distal apex with said wing rod. 10.The subsoil tool of claim 9, wherein said power link is pivotallyengaged at a proximal apex with said toolbar.
 11. The subsoil tool ofclaim 8, wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at a proximal apexwith said wing rod.
 12. The subsoil tool of claim 11, wherein said powerlink is pivotally engaged at a distal apex with said toolbar.
 13. Thesubsoil tool of claim 7, wherein said power link is pivotally engaged ata proximal apex with said wing rod.
 14. The subsoil tool of claim 7,wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at a distal apex with saidwing rod.
 15. A subsoil tool comprising: a) a shank; b) a forward winglink comprising a forward wing and pivotally engaged with said shank; c)a wing rod comprising a following wing and rod pivotally engaged withsaid forward wing link; d) a hydraulic drive cylinder having a cylinderrod; and e) a power link pivotally engaged with said wing rod andpivotally engaged with said cylinder rod.
 16. The subsoil tool of claim15, wherein said power link is generally rectangular, and wherein saidpower link is pivotally engaged at a proximal end with said cylinder rodand at a distal end with said wing rod, and wherein a shape of said wingrod between said pivotal engagement with said forward wing link and saidpower link is generally straight.
 17. The subsoil tool of claim 15,wherein said power link is generally triangular, and wherein said powerlink is pivotally engaged at an upper apex with said cylinder rod and ata distal end with said wing rod, and wherein a shape of said wing rodbetween said pivotal engagement with said forward wing link and saidpivotal engagement with said power link is generally “J” shaped.
 18. Thesubsoil tool of claim 17, wherein the distance between said shank andsaid wing rod increases between said pivotal engagement with saidforward wing link and said pivotal engagement with said power link. 19.The subsoil tool of claim 15, wherein said power link is generallytriangular, and wherein said power link is pivotally engaged at an upperapex with said cylinder rod and at a proximal end with said wing rod,and wherein a shape of said wing rod between said pivotal engagementwith said forward wing link and said pivotal engagement with said powerlink is generally “J” shaped.
 20. The subsoil tool of claim 19, whereinthe distance between said shank and said wing rod is about the samebetween said pivotal engagement with said forward wing link and saidpivotal engagement with said power link.